These days, most people use Airbnb to rent out entire homes or apartments in the cities they're visiting. But amid backlash from people who can't afford housing in Airbnb-heavy locales, city officials going after short-term rentals, and complaints about fees, Airbnb is pushing an updated, single-room rental option.
"Airbnb began as a way to stay in a room in someone else’s home," the company says, and that's what you get with Airbnb Rooms. Travelers can tap into a "curated set of 1 million private bedrooms," Airbnb says, as well as details like whether the bedroom door has a lock, if bathrooms are shared or private, and how many people will be in the home during your stay.
For those who want info on their temporary roommate before booking, Airbnb Rooms will include a Host Passport, which features a larger photo and details about a host, "including where they went to school, what they do for work, [and] fun facts about themselves."
"With Airbnb Rooms, we're getting back to the idea that started it all—back to our founding ethos of sharing," CEO Brian Chesky said in a statement. "Airbnb Rooms are often more affordable than hotels, and they're the most authentic way to experience a city. This is the soul of Airbnb."
Affordability is one reason Airbnb took off, but the company has been dealing with complaints about exorbitant fees, as well as checkout-related demands that owners have made on renters. To that end, Airbnb says it will now display a guest's total price with fees, before taxes, "across the entire app including in search results, price filter, maps, and listing pages."
Overall, Airbnb teased over 50 new features and upgrades. Starting this week, guests can also view checkout instructions on the listing page before booking; access faster, more functional maps; add notes to wish-listed listings; apply to pay in interest-free installments; and more.
Nearly half of the site's fresh features are aimed at hosts, including tools for setting competitive prices, adding weekly and monthly discounts, and comparing listings to similar ones in their area.